Health and Safety Podcast Transcript: Dec. 1, 2009

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for
Dec. 1, 2009. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information
officer. Coming up, learn about carbon monoxide poisining and winter
preparedness. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found
online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Links to topics mentioned in this
podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless and tasteless toxic gas
that causes about 300 accidental fatalities in homes each year; thousands
more are treated in hospitals for CO poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning exposure include headache,
fatigue, nausea, dizziness and confused thinking. Without treatment, the
victim can lose consciousness and their life.

Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels in
faulty gas or oil furnaces and water heaters; cracked chimney flues. It
also can be produced by using a gas oven or range to warm a room; indoor
use of charcoal grills; running a car in an enclosed area; and closing
the fireplace damper before the fire is completely out.

Carbon monoxide accidents are preventable.

Have a qualified technician inspect your gas furnace and appliances.

Never allow your car to run in an enclosed area, especially one
attached to your house.

Make sure your fireplace is in good repair and do not close the damper
before the fire is out.

Install CO alarms to give your family a warning if CO is building up in
your house.

Carbon monoxide alarms can be purchased at many local hardware stores.
Ensure the alarm has an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Carbon
monoxide alarms should be located on every floor and mounted according to
the manufacturer's instructions. If the alarm goes off, everyone should
get out of the house at once and call 9-1-1 from a neighbor's house. Do
not ventilate your house by opening doors and windows. When first
responders arrive they will obtain CO readings in different areas of your
home to determine the source of the leak.

Simple steps to getting winter ready include setting aside emergency
supplies, making a family emergency plan and staying informed about local
conditions. Also this winter:

Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects and never
leave unattended.

Make sure outdoor pets have adequate shelter, unfrozen water and food.

Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom and one on every level of your
home.

Keep alert if the road is wet and temperatures are at or under 32° F,
patches of ice are possible, especially on bridges and curves.

More winter-specific safety information and related links are avilable
online at www.ReadyVirginia.gov, www.vaemergency.com, www.VirginiaDOT.org
and NOAA/ the National Weather Service in Sterling at
www.weather.gov/lwx.

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety
Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for
listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and
emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And
remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.